Thuvia Maid of Mars is an interesting if old-fashioned story. She’s a bit prissy as the princess of Ptarth and is betrothed to a character Tith, whom we do not meet until the end of the story. The story is mostly about a couple of men who have the hots for her and the length they go through to get her, even risking interplanetary war for her hand.

As with a lot of Mars books, we have interesting subplots – a lost city of Lothar that has men who can imagine so strongly that others can see their thoughts come to life. They usually disappear except for one guy…. but I digress.

Burroughs really gets more into the animal life on Mars – the lion-like banth the most prominent.

Overall, and enjoyable story for John Carter fans, but without John Carter.

Kindle edition was clear, no massive misspellings or errors as I’ve seen in other editions.

These books have all started to meld together so correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the last book all about rescuing a slave? Or was that this book? Either way, this whole mess begins with the casual bartering of slaves by John Carter's son. Which of course causes the woman he loves, but turned him down because she is already betrothed, to need rescuing, which Carthoris is more than happy to start a war or two over. Needless to say we win the girl over, even though she has already said no. (Because what's better than a good old fashion lesson saying that if you get turned down you just have to keep asking and you get what you want). All tied up with a nice big bow of John Carter showing up for dramatic effect to save the day or blow some people up, which ever is fine. ( )

After the original Mars trilogy, Burroughs goes in another direction concentrating on other heroes of Mars. Carthoris, son of John Carter and Dejah Thoris, looks for the abducted princess Thuvia. The book features one of Burroughs' most original creations, Kar Komak the phantom bowman. ( )

This fourth part of the Barsoom series is a very good read. Some new groups of inhabitants of Barsoom are introduced, and the story is good. The main character in this book is not John Carter (who only appears in a few lines) but his son Carthoris. He has to save Thuvia, who has been abducted. Because rumours have been spread that Carthoris abducted her, he also has to save her and his own honor. ( )

Upon a massive bench of polished ersite beneath the gorgeous blooms of a giant pimalia a woman sat.

Quotations

Last words

"Take back your liberty, Thuvia of Ptarth," he cried, "and bestow it where your heart already lies enchained, and when the golden collars are clasped about your necks you will see that Kulan Tith's is the first sword to be raised in declaration of eternal friendship for the new Princess of Helium and her royal mate!"

Wikipedia in English

None

▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

Captive of the Green Horde

Carthoris saw Thuvia dragged to the foot of the rostrum. He saw Hortan Gur address her. He could not hear the Torquasian jeddak's words, nor Thuvia's reply, but it must have angered the green monster, for Carthoris saw him leap toward the prisoner, striking her a cruel blow across the face.Then the son of John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom, went mad. His half-Earth muscles sent him in enormous leaps and bounds toward the vile creature who had struck the woman he loved.Before the green warriors of Hortan Gur could respond, there came from the beleaguered city across the plains a fearsome sound - and from the gates issued a threat far more deadly than the swordsman advancing upon them!

First Published - 1916. Carthoris falls in love with Thuvia, princess of Ptarth, who was rescued by John Carter from the Therns. Thuvia is stolen away by Astok, Prince of Dusar, Ptarth's rival. Carthoris follows her across Barsoom and rescues her, encountering some strange and fascinating creatures. Thuvia, unfortunately, is already betrothed to Kulan Tith, Jeddak of Kaol, ally of Helium.

In this fourth novel of Edgar Rice Burroughs's popular Barsoom series, the focus shifts from John Carter, Warlord of Mars, and Dejah Thoris of Helium (protagonists of the first three books in the series) to their son, Carthoris, prince of Helium, and Thuvia, princess of Ptarth.When Thuvia is abducted, blame is cast upon Carthoris. But both are innocent victims of the sinister Prince Astok of Dusar, whose lust for Thuvia brings all of Mars to the brink of war. Carthoris ends up following in his father's footsteps, fighting savage beasts and phantom armies as he rescues Thuvia and saves Barsoom from destruction.… (more)